Texas Quintet, Yo-Yo Test Champ, 2032 Standout Highlight U15 Boys' Combine

SPARKS, Md. — USA Lacrosse Headquarters hosted more than 100 middle school boys for the U15 National Team Development Program Combine this week for a three-day session featuring performance testing, skill work and coaching sessions.

The combine brought together a collection of players from all over the country, some of whom could very well be the next stars of the U.S. Men’s National Team. These players are maybe the next Nate Kabiris, McCabe Millons and Chad Palumbos, who went to these types of USA Lacrosse events when they were the same age.

As expected, the talent and effort shined through even as heat, rain and humidity impacted the week’s events.

DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS

Texas isn't a traditional hotbed, but it’s growing every day. At the U15 National Team Development Program Combine, there were five players from the Lone Star State. Davis Baker (defense, Westlake High School), Oliver Fin (Attack, Westlake High School), Graham Hawkins (faceoff, Highland Park High School), Jack Norton (defense, Richland High School), and Zach Peters (midfield, The Kinkaid School) are proud to represent their state’s style of play.

Fin is the son of National Lacrosse Hall of Famer Dom Fin, a 2015 inductee.

“It’s amazing. I’m speechless,” Hawkins said. “It’s amazing to be here representing Texas and showing everyone that Texas can compete with other states that are lacrosse hotbeds like Maryland.

Peters said the tryout process in Texas was competitive.

“There were a lot of kids who tried out in Texas, and I’m just so happy to be representing my state,” Peters said.

Lacrosse is on the up in Texas. Still, the players invited to the U15 Combine felt like they had something to prove.

“We’re overlooked,” Hawkins said about Texas lacrosse players.

“We’ve got athletes,” Peters said.

They sure do.

THE YO-YO TEST

The Combine is three days long — and it starts off with a challenge. What better way could there be to kick it off other than performance testing?

During the yo-yo test, a specific type of a maximal aerobic endurance test, there is no place to hide. The yo-yo test involves running from one marker to another 20 meters apart. The athlete that lasts the longest “wins.” The higher your score, the better you do.

The U15s averaged level 15.2 results. One player took it to the next level, though. Trip Toner topped the group with a score of 18.1. He did that on a day with temperatures in the mid 80s, intermittent rain, and humidity that reached 93 percent.

Toner is the son of Gettysburg men’s lacrosse coach Peter Toner, who was a U.S. U19 Men’s National Team assistant coach in 2016.

“I try to go as fast as I can as long as I can,” Trip Toner said.

His style translates well to the endurance aspect of the yo-yo and also the practice schedules of the Combine itself. Between drill time, coach and player meetings, STX stick demos, and all the loading and unloading from the hotel to USA Lacrosse HQ, every minute of every day is scheduled. Stamina is necessary to succeed.

That’s not to say that the go-go-go atmosphere of it all isn’t a blast for the U15s.  

“Meeting all the coaches, meeting all the players, and just playing lacrosse” were Toner’s highlights of the experience.

THE VETS

Out of all the U15s on Tierney Field this week, four have worn the Red, White and Blue before. Christian Caldroney (goalie, IMG Academy), Jack Gowski (defense, Judge Memorial Catholic High School), Maddux Korzenko (defense, St. Anthony’s High School), and Bennet Lusin (attack) know the lay of the land.

“I watched my brother try out for this and play for this,” Caldroney said. “It’s cool carrying on the impact he has made on Team USA.”

Caldroney’s older brother, George, went through the exact same National Team Development Program process Christian did and is committed to play for Princeton as a part of its 2031 class. You can’t ask for a better pairing of brothers, as George is an attackman and Christian is a goalie.  

Because the program has become such a family affair, Christian Caldroney knows what it takes to stand out. He was a part of the 2025 U15 Youth National Team.  

“Doing the little things,” Caldroney said. “That’s what the coaches look for. ... People should come to the Combine because it’s a good opportunity to make new friends and represent your country.”

GETTING IN EARLY

“Do you know you’re the youngest guy out there?” Emmett Wangler was asked.

“Yeah,” Wangler said. “Being the smallest guy out there, usually, you just have to play hard.”

Wangler is a defender in the Class of 2032, so he’s only going into seventh grade — and he can already say he’s put on a USA jersey.  

“I’m really grateful for the opportunities I’ve gotten,” Wangler said. “It’s cool being here.”

Wangler is an Arizona product and is the only representative of the state for the U15 Combine. He credited his coaches and teams back home for the opportunity to showcase his skills in Sparks, Md.

“Having great coaches out in Arizona, I’m so grateful for that,” he said.

While he might only have one year of middle school under his belt, Wangler already has highlight videos posted to YouTube and is making a name for himself and his defensive abilities early.